Speaking of Dividends

Building Blocks

Tax preparer boosts payout, splits shares

INVESTORS WILL BE GETTING a bigger return from H&R Block. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the world's largest tax-preparation company Wednesday boosted its quarterly common dividend 13.6% and declared a 2-for-1 stock split. The new shares will go out Aug. 22 to holders of record Aug. 1. The new quarterly on post-split stock will be 12.5 cents a share, versus an adjusted 11 cents, for a 1.79% yield. It'll be paid Oct. 3; the record date is Sept. 12. CEO Mark A. Ernst said the two actions, plus Block's ongoing stock buybacks, "are key ways that we return value to our investors." In the past...